Can packaging machine



1965 R. L. BRUNSING CAN PACKAGING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug.28, 1961 6 6 MN m M T/ w P NM 0 E T V T Wm A L a R v. B 0 m mm O 6; i Ww 9 5 mm v 6 K \w Kn u\| Nov. 23, 1965 R. BRUNSING 3,218,777

CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1961 1Q Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE N TORRE X L. BRUNS/NG ATTORNEYS 1965 R. BRUNSING CAN PACKAGING MACHINE 10Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 28, 1961 /N V EN TOR REX L. BRUNS/NG BY 6%,)7? 4114, 1001/ ,4 7'TORNEV5 Nov. 23, 1965 R. L. BRUNSING 3,218,777

CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1961 1,0 Sheets-Sheet 4 35 EXAM WIN V EN TOR.

RE X L. BRU/VS/NG BY ATTORNEYS Nov. 23, 1965 R. L. BRUNSING 3,218,777

CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG; 5

1N VEN TOR.

REX L. BRUNS/NG BY 4 T TOR/VEVS Nov. 23, 1965 BRUNSING 3,218,777

CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 I N VEN TOR.

REX L. BRU/VS/NG 171,11. uuw/ A T TOR/V56 Nov. 23, 1965 BRUNSING CANPACKAGING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Aug. 28, 1961 5 w FL m F M INV EN TOR. REX L. B/PU/VS/NG BY In all. W

Nov. 23, 1965 1.. BRUNSING CAN PACKAGING MACHINE 1Q Sheets-Sheet 8 FiledAug. 28, 1961 wk v YAFQ Q 9% we [a //V VE/V TOR RE X L. BRUNS/NG ATTOR/VEVS Nov. 23, 1965 R. BRUNSING CAN PACKAGING MACHINE 1,0Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 28, 1961 IN VE N TOR RE X L. BRUNS/NG B) 5401, 177 LUooe/ ATTORNEYS Nov. 23, 1965 R. L. BRUNSING 3,218,777

CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1961 lo Sheets-Sheet 10 //3 F/G /9FIG. /.9A

INVEN TOR. 8/ 7 4 REX L. BRU/VS/NG AT TURN/5V5 United States Patent3,218,777 CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Rex L. Brunsing, San Francisco, Calif,assignor of three percent to Walter Kieckhefer, and four percent toGordon A. Coats and Patricia A. Coats Filed Aug. 28, 1961, Ser. No.134,381 14 Claims. (Cl. 53-48) This invention relates to a machine forpackaging cans, and more specifically, for securing two or more canstogether by carriers that engage the chimes of the cans, an example ofwhich carrier and package is shown in copending application Serial No.47,433, filed August 4, 1960.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a machine thatis adapted to apply carrier clips to connect and to form a Package of aplurality of cans while the cans are continuously moving through themachine without injury to the clips or to the cans.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine that isadapted to automatically orient a plurality of conventional,lithographed cans so that the labels or display material on the sides ofthe cans of each package respectively face in the desired direction topresent the best or most desirable appearance.

An additional object is the provision of a method of orienting cans tobe connected for forming a package whereby the seams will besubstantially cancealed or out of sight in the package or in the leastobjectionable position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means in acarrier applying machine for maintaining a large supply of carrier clipsfor the cans in -a relatively small space and for dispensing saidcarrier clips to the machine in a position for movement to a positionbelow the cans that are to be secured together.

The machine illustrated herein is adapted to form what is known in theindustry as a 6-pack package of cans, in which there are two parallelrows of cans in side by side relation with three cans in each rowproviding three pairs of cans, although the invention is adaptable toform packages having more or less than three pairs of cans.

In this invention two spaced rows of upright cans in side by siderelation are carried along two spaced parallel paths of travel to apoint of convergence of said paths and before reaching this point ofconvergence the cans in the two rows are rotated to position theirseams, and consequently the display material on their sides, in auniform position in each row. For example, the labels imprinted on thecans may face oppositely outwardly of the ends of the pair of rows.

After this pro-orientation is accomplished, the paths converge so thatthe two rows of cans are in relatively close side by side relation, andduring the movement of the cans along the converging portions of thepaths, the leading pair of cans to be connected may be rotated so theirdisplay material or labels face in the direction in which the cans aremoving and they will slide over opposite marginal portions of thecarrier connection at the leading end of the latter into laterallyoppositely outwardly opening seats formed in the connector, and overspring tongues that will be snapped past the chimes to secure the cansto the carriers.

The second pair of cans that immediately follows the first pair may berotated so their labels face oppositely outwardly and will be seen tobest advantage at opposite sides of the package. These cans also moveonto the carrier clip into seats and over spring tongues the same as thefirst pair.

The third pair of cans may be rotated so the display material facesrearwardly of the package, and they are ice then moved into the thirdpair of seats on the connector, and over a third pair of spring tongues.

All that remains to be done to form each package is to spring thetongues past the adjacent chimes on each pair of adjacent cans. Thepackage will then be completely formed, since the seats mentioned asbeing on the carrier clips will fit against the sides of the cans justabove the lower chimes preventing accidental separation of the cans fromthe clip. 7

When the completed package is inverted so that the carrier clip isuppermost, the package may be easily carried by two fingers of the hand.Suitable openings in the carrier clip provide for the insertion of suchfinger in more or less bowling ball fashion.

Provision is made in the machine for adjusting it in a matter of severalminutes to package cans of different heights. Some beverages, forexample, are in 11 and 12 ounce cans of the same diameter as cansholding 15 and 16 ounces. Since the same plant may package cans of bothsizes, it is a distinct advantage to be able to package both sizes withthe same machine removing parts and replacing them with others.

Other objects and advantages than those hereinbefore mentioned willappear in the description and in the drawmgs.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a semischematic top plan View of the machine partly brokenaway, including the infeed device leading to the machine, and alongwhich infeed device the pre-orienting step is performed. The carrierclip feeder which is on top of the machine is omitted from this view,and the hold-down belt on top of the machine at the left end of the viewis broken away.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine without the carrierclip feeder but with the vertical guides for the carrier clipsindicated. The view is enlarged slightly over FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the machine, slightly larger than FIG.1, but reduced relative to FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the operation of th structure shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of a portion of theupper straight track shown in FIG. 4 at the right hand end of themachine showing the can orienting device along said track, atapproximately the juncture between said track and the machine proper andshowing the pre-can orienting devices along said track.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the tooth of one of the orientingdevices of FIG. 5, as seen from line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of a part of one of thehead sheaves in the machine proper including the curved track alongwhich final orientation of the cans is effected.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the headpulley or turret of FIG. 9, and substantially along line 1010 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of I FIG. 10.

hold-down belt for attaching the carrier clips against the lowermostsides of the cans.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line16-16 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the clip feeding mechanismthat is adaptedto be supported over the machine proper of FIGS. 1, 2.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of one side of the clip feeder ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an end elevational view of the feeder of FIGS. 17, 18.

FIG. 19A is an elevational view of part of the feeder of FIGS. 17-19.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of one of the carrier clips as it would beseen in a position in the machine for connecting to a can.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view showing the clipconnector below an adjacent pair of cans with the spring tongue undertension preparatory to being sprung upwardly past the chimes of saidpair of cans.

FIG. 22 is a view similar to that of FIG. 21 in which the spring tongueshave been sprung past the chimes.

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of a package having the clip connectorconnected to the cans. This would be a top plan view of thefinished-package after the package on the machine has been inverted.

Infeed portion of machine The infeed portion of the machine is theportion at the right as seen in FIGS. 1-3, and upright cans havingradially and axially projecting chimes at their lower ends are fed ontoinfeed conveyors generally indicated at 1 and 2 for movement to theleft, as seen in FIG. 1. These cans are upside-down relative to anydisplay material on their sides, and the seam on a lateral side of eachcan presents a relatively sharp leading shoulder (FIG. 8) when the cansare rotated clockwise, whereas a relatively smoothly rounded shouldersurface would be presented at the seam as a leading surface were thecans rotated counterclockwise.

Each of the conveyors 1, 2 comprises conventional endless chains havinghorizontal platform flights that provide a continuously moving platformon the upper runs of the chains for carrying the rows of cans toward theleft. These chains extend between and over sprocket wheels 4 (FIG. 1) attheir infeed ends and sprockets 5 at their opposite or discharge ends(FIG. 3), the latter being carried by shaft 6 that is journalled forrotation on the stationary frame 7 of the machine.

Suitable, parallel guide rails 8 are supported at opposite sides of eachinfeed conveyor, and these extend parallel with each conveyor tomaintain the cans in a single row on each conveyor.

Near the infeed ends of the conveyors 1, 2 is a pair of horizontallyelongated control members 9, which members are vertically pivoted attheir ends nearest the infeed ends of said conveyors for swinging aboutvertical axes respectively at one of the sides of each conveyor, and ata height adapted to engage the sides of cans carried and moved by saidconveyors. The rear ends of these members that extend away from theirpivotally supported ends extend slantingly into the paths of cans on theconveyors, whereby cans moving in a row on each of said conveyors willswing the rear ends of the members to one of the sides of each of thecans.

The pivots 10 mounting the forward ends of the control members aresupported on the stationary frame of the machine, or they could becarried on the nearest guide rail 8, and these control members will beurged against yieldable switch elements on microswitches 11 to compressthe latter against yieldable resistance when the cans swing the members9 to one of the sides of each row to thereby close electrical circuitsextending from the microswitches. These are conventional microswitchesof the type having yieldable switch elements. The electrical meansactuating the can packaging machine is in said circuit, hence as long ascans are being carried on conveyors 1 and 2 the can packaging machinewill continue to operate. When there is no can on either one or theother of said conveyors, the circuit will be broken and the packagingmachine will stop, but conveyors 1, 2 will continue to run so thecircuit will again be closed when the cans are being delivered along byboth conveyors to the packaging machine.

Pie-orienting device At the discharge ends of the conveyors 1, 2 thecans are successively shunted by convergently extending guide rails 14(FIG. 1) for movement in the same direction by two sets of chains 15, 16(FIGS. 3, 5).

Referring to FIGS. 5-7 and particularly FIG. 6, when the cans areshunted by the rails 14, they are moved from each of the conveyors 1, 2to between horizontally extending pairs of upper guide rails 17, 18 thatare positioned relative to each other so that the guide rail 18 is lowerthan guide rail 17, and the spacing and arrangement is such that thecans 19 will be slightly tilted so their lower chimes 20 will each makea point contact with a table 21 that is parallel with said rails. Thus,if the cans are pushed in a direction longitudinally of the rails 17,18, they will roll on the table 21 at their point contacts with thetable.

As seen in FIG. 1 the rails 17 of the two pairs of guide rails are onthe same side, so the cans in both rows will be similarly inclined.

The chains 15, 16 are positioned at about the same level as the table 21(FIG. 6) and are at and below the raised portions of chimes 20 thatoccur by tipping the cans, but are offset sufficiently to enable canpusher pieces 23 (FIG. 8) secured to each of the chains to extendbetween the adjacent cans in each row.

The pusher pieces secured to chain 16, which is the uppermost of thepair thereof as seen in FIG. 1, is shown in FIGS. 58 and comprises agenerally triangular shaped member 23 supported on an elongated carriageelement 24 in a position extending longitudinally of the chain. Theleading end of element 24 is pivotally connected to one of the linkconnecting pivots of the chain 16 for swinging of the trailing end ofsaid carriage element, including the pusher piece 23, downwardly. Saidtrailing end carries a roller 25 (FIG. 5) that rides on a track 26 (FIG.6) that, in turn, extends longitudinally of the chain 16 for maintainingthe carriage parallel with the chain and for maintaining the apex of thepusher piece 23 between the adjacent cans 19 (FIG. 8).

The pusher piece 23 includes a tooth 27 (FIG. 8) having its pointengaging the side of the can that is supported ahead of the tooth forrolling the can along the table 21. Since the can 19 ahead of the toothis in merely point engagement with the table 21 and with the guide rails17, 18, very little force is required to roll the can, which can isrolled counterclockwise so that rotation stops immediately upon thetooth engaging the relatively sharp shoulder of the seam 29 on the can.This seam will be engaged upon or at a point less than one completerotation of the can, according to the position of the seam when itpasses between guide rails 17, 18 at the infeed end. Thus all cans tothe outfeed or discharge end of the guide rails 17, 18 will have theirseams in a uniform position when they reach said ends of the guiderails.

On chain 15 the can pusher members indicated at 30 in FIG. 1 are thesame as the can pusher pieces 23 except that they are not on a carriage24 but are directly secured to one of the chain links.

The reason for the pivotally mounted carriage 24 is that the pushermember and tooth thereon must move out of the path of travel of the cansat the discharge ends of the rails 17, 18 to permit the cans of the rowthat are moved by chain 16 to move toward the row of cans moved by thechain 15. The seam locating teeth of the pusher pieces 23 being betweenthe two rows, such converging of the cans moved by chain 16 would beblocked by the pusher pieces 23 unless they moved out of the way.

The trailing end of each carriage element 24 will automatically drop assoon as the end of track 26 is reached (FIG. 1), carrying the tooth 27with it, thus offering no obstacle to the movement of the cantransversely.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the cans in each ofthe two rows that are respectively moved by the can pusher elements orchains 15, 16 will be uniformly positioned with their seams all facingin the same direction by the time the cans reach the discharge ends ofthe chains.

Final orienting device At the discharge ends of chains 15, 16, and ofguide rails 17, 18, are a pair of turrets generally designated 31 (FIG.4), which turrets are supported for rotation on vertical stationaryshafts 32, which shafts, in turn, are

supported on the stationary frame of the machine.

The vertical axes of the turrets 31 are respectively on the center linesof the paths of travel of the cans between the pairs of guide rails 17,18. Hence the cans discharged or moved from between the guide rails atthe discharge ends of the chains 15, 16 will be moved directly into aturret 31.

These turrets are of the same structure, hence the description of onewill suffice for both.

FIG. shows one of the turrets in cross section. Each turret comprises apulley 33 rotatable on shaft 32, and an endless belt 34 of specialdesign extends around the pulley. This belt is of substantial verticalwidth and is formed with laterally outwardly opening equally spacedrecesses 35 (FIG. 4) extending vertically from edge to edge of the belt,each recess being adapted to receive one of the cylindrical sides of acan 19 thereon and each recess extends the major distance between theends of each can. The inner side of the belt may be formed with verticalgrooves, as indicated in FIG. 4 to facilitate movement of the beltaround the pulley.

Power driven pulleys 36 are at the discharge ends of the belts 34 andsecured on vertical shafts 37 (FIG. 1), the latter being connectedthrough conventional gearing with a motor for moving the belts in adirection away from pulleys 33.

These belts are related to the final orienting step only in that thecans are engaged between the belts after they have been moved from theirpositions at the discharge ends of chains 15, 16 around the belts at thepulleys 33 through substantially an arc of 90, and it is during themovement of the cans through this arc that the final orienting of thecans occurs.

The orienting means will now be described in detail.

Turret 31 carries upper and lower horizontal plates 38 having sixequally spaced, radially outwardly projecting portions 39 (FIG. 4) eachof which carries a roller 40 (FIGS. 4, 10) rotatable about a verticalaxis.

Also journalled for rotation in the pulley 33 are six vertical shafts 41equally spaced from the axis of shaft 32, and from each other. The lowerend of each shaft 41 terminates at its lower end in a right angleextension having a roller 49 supported for rotation about a verticalaxis in a position projecting radially outwardly of pulley 33. The upperend of each shaft 41 terminates above the pulley 33 and carrieshorizontally disposed rockers secured thereon, each rocker having arms42, 43 extending angularly away from the juncture between said arms.Shaft 41 is secured to the rocker at said juncture.

Horizontal rollers 44, 45 are rotatably carried at the outer ends ofsaid arms respectively, the roller 45 corresponding in position toroller 49 on the extension at the lower end of shaft 41, while roller 44on the outer end of each arm 42 is a cam follower and arms 42 supportthese 6 followers at three different levels for engagement,respectively, with superposed cams 46, 47, 48 (FIGS. 10, 11-- 13)secured on shaft 32.

At this point it is to be understood that cams 46-48 are purelyexemplary to illustrate cams having risers of different lengths as maybe employed, but their arrangement relative to each other may differ asWell as the lengths of the risers.

Inasmuch as the carrier clip to which the cans are to be connected has,in the illustration, place for six cans in two rows of three cans each,the turrets will, in one complete revolution, deliver cans for two ofthe carrier clips. Hence, the two sets of three cans each and their camfollowers on each turret are correspondingly arranged in each set.

Carried on shaft 32 adjacent to its upper end are six permanent magnets50, and six corresponding magnets 51, at the lower end of the turret aresecured to the latter for rotation therewith. The upper magnets are onthe periphery of a plate 52 in exactly the same arrangement as magnets51, plate 52 being rotatable on a hub that is vertically slidable onshaft 32 from a lower position (indicated on full line in FIG. 10) to anupper position 53, said hub being secured in either position by a setscrew 54 that is adapted to slide from its lower position to its upperposition in a vertical recess when loosened for moving the hub thatrotatably carries the plate 52. In its lower position the magnets areadapted to engage the upper chimes on 11 and 12 oz. cans, while in itsupper position the magnets are adapted to engage the upper chimes 15 and16 oz. cans.

A vertical positioning pin 55 is secured on the upper end of pulley 33,which pin slidably extends through an opening in plate 52 to both drivethe magnets by the pulley and to position the magnets correctly relativeto the rockers and other rollers.

The magnets of the upper and lower set are accurately positioned withrespect to the can rocker arms, as seen in FIG. 9, and the arm or polepieces of each set of magnets are positioned to face the cans 19 at thelevel of the upper and lower chimes on the cans so that the chimes onthe cans will move directly into contact with the magnet arms withoutchange in the positions of the chimes relative to the vertical axis ofeach cam. This is clearly shown in FIG. 9.

The pusher elements of the pre-orienting device or structure, alreadydescribed, may be synchronized in their movement with the movement ofthe turrets 31 to successively deliver the cans 19 to the magnets in theposition shown in FIG. 2 in which the cans are immediately held by themagnets upon leaving the pre-orienting device.

Once the cans from the two rows are held by the magnets, the cans soheld will be moved toward each other parallel with the convexly curvedguide rails 57 that have their curvatures concentric with the axes ofshafts 32 (FIGS. 4, 9). As long as the cans are held by the magnets theyare spaced from said guide rails 57.

Cams 46-48 are secured on each shaft 32, the latter being stationary. Asthe turrets 31 revolve on shafts 32 to carry the cans with the magnets,the cam followers will engage risers 58, 59, 60 on cams 46, 47, 48respectively (FIGS. 10-13).

When the cam followers 44 are actuated by their engagement with therisers, the rollers 45, 49 will be swung to force each can away from themagnets that were holding the cans, and the cans will be held againstthe curved guide rails 57 by rollers 45, 49 and 40 for rotation of thecans by engagement with said guide rails. The lengths of the cam risers5860 determines the degree each can will roll, and the degree each canis to be rolled depends upon the result to be desired, such as the finalplacement of the seams on the cans, or the final placement of theprinted matter on the cans when the cans reach the belts 34 and aredelivered to the recesses on the belts, after which no further movementcan occur insofar as rotation of the cans about their axes relative tothe other cans in each package.

In FIG. 4, a can carrier or can connecting clip is indicated at 61 in aposition having already received the first two cans in each of the tworows of cans.

In FIG. 4A, which is purely schematic, six cans A, B, C and A, B, Cbeing shown in positions P, P, the positions P being the uppermost rowshown in FIG. 4A and the cans in positions P being in the lowermost row.

The seams 29 of the cans when they are first held by the magnets areindicated by radial arrows at their peripheries, and the positions theseseams are to occupy n the clip 61 are shown between the positions P andP of the cans. Since the cans of the upper row in positions P willrotate counterclockwise along rail 57 while the cans in positions P willrotate clockwise, it is obvious that the leading pair of cans atpositions P, P will rotate different degrees to position the seamsfacing rearwardly, one rotating about 360 and the other rotating a veryshort distance. The lengths of the cam risers will therefore vary, sincethe cans will rotate only when freed from the magnets by the cams.

The second pair of cans will also rotate different distances in order tohave the seams facing each other, while the same circumstance existswith the third pair of cans in order that the seams face forwardly. Thatis why the cams illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 are merely illustrative ofcams of difierent lengths. Also it may be that the cans have one mainlabel, and a certain arrangement of the labels relative to the packagemay be desired, or the can may have labels on two opposite sides, or itmayeven have three or four equally spaced labels. To obtain the desiredarrangement of such labels in the package so the latter will have thebest appearance depends upon the lengths of the risers on the cams andthe relation between the risers.

In any event, the cans will be delivered to the receiving ends of thebelts 34 where they will be gripped firmly between the adjacent runs ofthe belts in opposed recesses 35 for movement longitudinally of theparallel opposed runs of the pair of belts 34.

The carrier clip At this point in the description the carrier clip 61 isimportant since the leading pair of cans in a series of three in eachrow will be moved onto the leading end of the carrier clip as soon asthe said leading cans are carried between the opposed sides of belts 34.

The movement of the belts is such that the outwardly opening canreceiving recesses in the opposed parallel runs of the belts will beexactly opposed to each other as the belts are actuated.

The clip 61 that connects the six cans (two rows of three cans each) isseen in FIG. 20. These clips are .supported between vertical guide posts65 (FIGS. 1, 2)

through an opening 66 in the machine frame onto the upper runs of a pairof endless chains 67 (FIGS. 14, 15, 16) extending over a pair of headsprocket wheels 68 (FIG. 3) and discharge wheels 69, the latter being atthe discharge end of the machine and being power driven.

Secured on each of the chains at spaced intervals approximately equal tothe length of each clip are upstanding lugs 70 (FIG. 14) that areadapted to successively engage the lowermost clip in the stack overopening 66 for removing the lowermost clip and moving it along ahorizontally extending path of travel extending below the rows of cans.The chains themselves are supported on elongated guides 72 (FIG. 15)during the movement of the clips to the discharge ends of the chains,hence any downward pressure on the clips will be transmitted directly tothe rigid guides 72 that, in turn, are secured on the rigid frame of themachine.

Also, chains 67 carry horizontal platforms 73 thereon that are coplanarfrom end to end of the upper runs of the conveyor chains for supportingthe longitudinally extending marginal portions of the clips.

Referring to FIG. 20, which is a top plan view of a clip as it appearslooking downwardly as it is supported on the platforms on the pair ofchains 67. The carrier clip as seen in FIG. 20 will be connected withthe lowermost ends of the cans 19, and then the cans with the clipattached thereto will be inverted so that the clip is uppermost, whichis the normal position of a completed package. Hence, the side of theclip seen in FIG. 20 will actually be the underside of the clip in thefinished package. However, for purpose of clarity, the words upper andlower, or words of similar import used in describing the clip and themethod of attaching it to the cans will refer to the sides of the clipas positioned in the machine, and not as seen in the completed package.

Clip 61 of FIG. 20 has coplanar longitudinally extending marginalportions 74 and connecting end marginal portions 75 coplanar withportions 74. A central upstanding rib 76 extends from end to end of thecarrier, and the laterally outwardly facing surfaces of the upwardlyprojecting rib are formed with three oppositely outwardly openingarcuate recesses 77 providing three seats on opposite sides of the ribin each of which the oppositely outwardly facing cylindrical sides of acylindrical can adjacent to the lowermost chimes 20 of said cans areadapted to be seated.

At each of the three places where the recesses 77 are formed in rib 76an opening 78 is formed and while each rib 76 extends centrally acrosseach opening, the lower surface 79 of the rib (FIG. 21) is offsetupwardly a disstance from the upper surface of the marginal portions 74a distance equal to the width of the lower chimes 20.

Between the adjacent pairs of openings 78 the rib 76 is spread anddivided to form a circular opening 80, there being two such. openings.These form finger openings for carrying the carrier and cans of thefinished package.

Spring tongues 81 extend toward each other and toward the rib 76 in anupwardly inclined direction into openings 78 from opposite marginalportions 74.

FIG. 22 shows the normal position of these tongues 81 both before andafter they have been sprung into can engaging and holding position.

The outer free edges 82 of the tongues 81 are arcuately curved and arespaced from the arcuately curved sides of the recesses 77 so as tosubstantially follow the curva ture of the radially inwardly facingsurfaces of chimes 20 when the tongues are sprung past the chimes.

The lengths of the tongues 81 from their straight line hinge connectionswith the marginal portions 74 to their arcuate outer free edges is suchthat, when the lower chimes 20 on the cans are positioned below ribs 77and against surface 79 of the ribs, and when the lower axially facingsurfaces of the chimes are in engagement with the upper surfaces ofmarginal portions 74, the tongues 81 must be sprung past the loweraxially facing surfaces of the chimes to spring back up to the positionof the tongues in FIG. 22, and in which positions the tongues will notonly be in nonyielding engagement with the radially inwardly facingsurfaces of the chimes but will be in yieldable engagement with thelower heads 83 of cans 19 as seen in FIG. 22.

The clip applying mechanism Referring to FIG. 1 the arcuate guide rails57 at the final orienting station direct the cans past a divider piece85 (FIGS. 1, 4, 9) and below a supporting bracket 86, and as the clipsreach a point where their vertical axes are substantially in the sameplane with that in which the axes of the turrets 31, the adjacent runsof belts 34 will commence to progressively close on the oppositelyoutwardly facing sides of the pair of rows of the cans.

In FIG. 1 it is seen that a rigid backing plate 87 supported against thebelt 34 on the side thereof opposite to the can engaging side isinclined in a horizontal plane to urge the cans in the row engaged bythis belt toward the cans of the other row, and a corresponding backingplate (not shown) engages the other belt to urge it into progressivelycloser relation to the cans of the other row. Maximum pressure isapplied at a point intermediate the ends of plates 87 and then thetension is progressively relieved as plates 87 extend slightly di-Vergently outwardly from the intermediate point. Plates 87 may be sprungcentrally toward each other by screws 88 (FIG. 1) urging a pressureblock against each plate at a point intermediate the end of each platewhile the ends of the plate are held.

As a result of the above structure it is apparent that the adjacentsides of the cans in said rows will be tightly forced against the seats77 in ribs 76 of the carrier clips.

At the same time as the above action occurs, a holddown belt 89 (FIG. 2)above the rows of cans will progressively force the cans downwardlyagainst the clips. The lower run of this hold-down belt is slidably heldagainst a rigid hold-down plate 90 that extends slantingly downwardly atthe end 91 thereof under which the cans successively pass in theirmovement to the left. This hold-down belt is power actuated byconventional gears, sprocket wheels and chains that connect the rear endpulley 92 with a motor 93, and is timed to move at the same rate ofspeed as the cans.

As the cans move under the hold-down belt, the tongues 81 will be movedto the position shown in FIG. 21 in which they are substantiallycoplanar with marginal portions 74 and in this position they are under asubstantial tension tending to spring them past the chimes to theposition seen in FIG. 22, and in some instances they will automaticallyspring to this position.

In order to positively insure springing of the tongues past the chimesand to the position shown in FIG. 22, the spring tongues may each beformed on its underside with a small projection 94 (FIGS. 21, 22) andbefore the cans reach the discharge end of the hold-down belt they willpass over a first tucker wheel 95 (FIGS. 14, 16).

Tucker wheel 95 is formed with radially outwardly extending arms 96 thatresemble spokes. This wheel is secured on a power driven shaft 97 fordriving it counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 14. The outer ends of arms96 are formed with feet 98 having radially outwardly facing surfacesthat are concentric with the axis of shaft 97, but straight in crosssectional contour transversely of the wheel. The width of these feet issuch as to engage and project past the axially downwardly facingsurfaces of the chimes 20 and over the projections 94 on the springtongues. Arms 96 are spaced apart so the feet will successively engagethe said chimes where the chimes on the cans in one row are adjacent tothe chimes on the cans in the other row as the tucker wheel 95 isrotated and as the cans are moved therepast.

Most of the tongues will spring past the chimes under pressure from thetucker wheel 95. It should be noted that this wheel rides on the chimesof the cans, and the feet are bevelled along their outer edges. Sincethe radially outwardly facing surfaces of each foot is arcuatecircumferentially of the wheel, the pressure on each tongue isprogressive, and not violent, and the holddown belt progressivelysprings the clips by pressure along the free end edges of the tongues,which is where the feet 98 apply their pressure. The tongues are notsprung by pressure applied other than adjacent to their free edges. Thisis an important feature, since there would be likelihood of the tonguesbreaking were they to he suddenly sprung (instead of progressively) andif the springing pressure were closed to the marginal portions 74.

A second power driven tucker wheel 100 may be pro- 10 vided after thetucker wheel 95, and this is preferably positioned substantially belowthe power driven pulley of the hold-down belt just before the cans movefrom under said belt.

Wheel has arms 101 the same as wheel 95, but instead of the feet 98, itis provided with resilient feet 102 that are also concentric with theaxis of power driven shaft 103 to which the wheel 100 is secured. Thesefeet 102 may be formed with a groove 104 (FIG. 15) adapted to receivethe chimes 20 on the cans, and the portions of the feet at oppositesides of the groove will be urged past the chimes in an upward directionto yieldably urge the outer ends of any spring tongues that did not snappast said chimes, in an upward direction to positively insure movementof the tongues to can locking position.

As soon as the last pair of cans on a clip have moved past the rear endof the hold-down belt 89 the package is fully formed, and when inverted,will appear as seen in FIG. 23 with the clip 61 on top of the cans.

Before concluding this portion of the description, reference to FIG. 4will show that the sides of recesses 35 in belts 34 are formed byvertical ribs 105 that are adapted to tightly engage the cylindricalsides of cans of slightly different diameters. For example, a can for 11ounces of beverage may have the same diameter as one for 15 ounces, buta can for 12 ounces or 16 ounces may be slightly larger in diameter.When cans of either diameter are between the belts, the latter will holdthem with equal firmness, and, as pointed out, the backing platesagainst the adjacent runs of cans is adjustable should it be necessaryto regulate the pressure on the cans.

From the foregoing explanation, it is clear that there is no crimpingaction in applying the clip to the cans. The clip is not permanentlydeformed, and the tongues are held against the radially inner facingsides of the chimes by a thrust action that allows no yieldability, yetthe sprung tongues yieldably engage the heads. This is a unique methodof holding the cans together. The cans may, however, be easily separatedfrom the clip by a combination twisting and swinging action.

It is also to be noted that there is no tipping of the cans in order topivot the cans to a holding connection with clips, as has been attemptedpreviously, and with the present invention, the package may be lifted asa whole by lifting one of the end cans, which is a desirable featurefrom a safety standpoint.

The clip feeder In FIG. 2 guides 65 and posts 108 may function tosupport the clip feeder, generally designated 107, in a position forfeeding clips between the guides and feed opening 66 in FIG. 1.

This feeder, in brief, is adapted to carry a plurality of stacks ofrefills to refill the magazine that is formed by the guide strips 65.

Heretofore most carriers for beverages have been in the form ofcardboard cartons. The machines form flat cardboard blanks around thegroups of cans to form the package. Hence, the problem of maintaininglarge supply of flat cardboard blanks for feeding to the packagingmachine is not diflicult.

Where the clips having substantial thickness and irregular contours formthe carriers, the problem becomes complicated.

In the present instance a horizontally disposed upper endless chain 109and a similarly disposed lower endless chain 110 are supported at one oftheir ends on an upper sprocket wheel 111 and a lower wheel 112 that, inturn, are secured to a vertical power driven shaft 113 (FIG. 18). Thesesprockets and the ends of the chains at said sprockets could be termedthe discharge end, since the vertical stacks of clips are discharged atthis end of the machine. The rear ends of chains 109 and 110 extendaround upper and lower sprocket wheels 115, 116 sup- 1 l ported of ashaft 117 that is journalled at its ends for rotation in hearings on theframe 118 of the feeder.

Carried by said chains is an endless row of vertical, laterallyoutwardly opening channel strips 119. The upper ends of these strips areclosed by a plate 120 (FIG. 17) having a laterally outwardly openingslot 121 formed therein. The backs of the channel strips are secured tothe chains, hence the open sides of said strips are directed outwardlyof the chains carrying them, and the slots 121 open outwardly in thesame direction as the channel strips.

Along one side of the feeder (the lower side as seen in FIG. 17, andnear side in FIG. 18) is an endless belt 123 having a horizontal upperrun 124 that is supported by a rigid plate 125 for its entire length.This belts extends under the channel strips 119 at their lower ends in aposition in which it is approximately half below the strips and halfbeyond them as seen in FIG. 17.

A stack of carrier clips supported on the upper run 124 of belt 123extending transversely thereacross would extend for approximately halfof their length into each of the channel strips 119 when the stack isbalanced on the belt.

Suspended from the upper end of each channel strip in a positionextending particularly over the plate is a horizontal strip 126 havingopenings 127 (FIG. 17 formed therein adjacent to its ends. Either ofthese openings is adapted to removably receive an upwardly extending pin128 on plate 120 spaced beyond the closed end of slot 121.

A pair of vertical rods 129 (FIG. 19) depend from strip 126, these rodseach being of a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of eachof the finger openings 80 in the clips 61, and the spacing between therods being equal to the spacing between the openings 80.

The rod and strip 126 may be lifted bodily off the upper end plate 120of each channel strip 119 and as easily positioned on said plate 120.

An operator will load the rods. 129 with a stack of clips, the rodsfunctioning as aligning means to keep the clips in accurate alignment.The stack or load of clips with the rods extending through the openings80 in the clips are then positioned in the channel strips and strip 126is positioned with the pin 128 extending through one of the openings 127in said strip. The lower ends of the rods extend past opposite sides ofbelt 123, hence the stack of clips will be supported on the belt 123.Belt carrier 123 is connected by a conventional worm gear connection, asseen in FIG. 19A.

Extending from the discharge end of the belt 123 is an arcuatelyextending track 131. Each stack of clips successively moved to thistrack will be carried over it to the upper end of the feed magazine 65(FIG. 17).

Electrically actuated motor 132 drives chains 109, 110 and conveyor belt123 intermittently, and independently of the rest of the machine. In theelectrical circuit acmating the motor is a photoelectric cell 133 (FIG.18), the ray of which is intercepted to open the circuit to the motor aslong as any carriers are in the feeder channel 119 that is over themagazine 65, but as soon as the last carrier clip in the channel is fedinto the magazine 65, the beam is established to the selenium cell tostart the motor, and to move the next carrier filled channel over themagazine, at which time microswitch 135 (FIG. 19) is actuated by aprojection 136 on the plate 120 to break the circuit to the motor.

In operation, an operator will keep the channel strips on the feederfilled wit-h stacks of clips on the side of the feeder that is adjacentto belt 123. As the empty rods move past the magazine, they can beremoved and reloaded. In actual practice practically all of the channelstrips may be empty before each refilling operation, at which time theempty rods which are at the side of the feeder opposite to the conveyorbelt 123 may be removed for reloading.

I claim:

1. A machine for connecting the annular chimes on one of thecorresponding ends of a pair of adjacent cylindrical cans to arelatively rigid strip of material having opposite marginal portionsadapted to extend over the axially outwardly facing surfaces of saidchimes at their adjacent sides and which strip has oppositely outwardlyfacing can engaging seats between said marginal portions adapted toengage the adjacent cylindrical sides of the cans of such pair at saidchimes and spring tongues inclined relative to and carried by saidmarginal portions having free outer end edges adjacent to said seatsadapted to spring past said chimes into engagement with the radiallyiwardly facing surfaces of said chimes at their said adjacent sides whensaid cylindrical sides are seated against said seats and said marginalportions are against said axially outwardly facing surfaces of saidchimes; said machine comprising: strip supporting means for supportingsuch strip for movement in one direction along a predetermined path oftravel; actuating means connected with said strip supporting means forso moving the latter along said predetermined path of travel; can movingmeans adjacent to said path enegageable with a pair of cans for movingsaid pair of cans onto said strip against said seats on the latter andonto said marginal portions during movement of said strip along saidpath; tongue engaging means adjacent to said path movable intoengagement with the spring tongues on said strip for springing saidtongue past the chimes on the said cans that are on said marginalportions during such movement of said strip along said path.

2. A machine for connecting the annular chimes on one of thecorresponding ends of a pair of adjacent cylindrical cans to arelatively rigid strip of material having opposite marginal portionsadapted to extend over the axially outwardly facing surfaces of saidchimes at their adjacent sides and which strip has oppositely outwardlyfacing can engaging seats between said marginal portions adapted toengage the adjacent cylindrical sides of the cans of such pair at saidchimes and spring tongues inclined relative to and carried by saidmarginal portions having free outer end edges adjacent to said seatsadapted to spring past said chimes into engagement with the radiallyinwardly facing surfaces of said chimes at their said adjacent sideswhen said cylindrical sides are seated against said seats and saidmarginal portions are against said axially outwardly facing surfaces ofsaid chimes; said machine comprising: strip supporting means forsupporting such strip for movement in one direction along apredetermined path of travel; actuating means connected with said stripsupporting means for so moving the latter along said predetermined pathof travel; can moving means adjacent to said path engageable with a pairof cans for moving said pair of cans onto said strip against said seatson the latter and onto said marginal portions during movement of saidstrip along said path; tongue engaging means adjacent to said pathmovable into engagement with the spring tongues on said strip forspringing said tongue past the chimes on the said cans that are on saidmarginal portions during such movement of said strip along said path,said can moving means including a pair of turrets supported in spacedside by side relation at opposite sides of said path for rotation aboutparallel axes for movement of the adjacent sides of said turrets in saidone direction; means supporting said pair of cans for movement tocorresponding sides of said turrets spaced from said path and magnets onthe sides of said turrets for magnetically holding said cans forcarrying said cans therewith in said one direction toward said path; canreleasing means on said turret actuatable for releasing said cans fromsaid magnets upon movement of said cans to said path and to saidpositions on a strip.

3. A machine for connecting the annular chimes on one of thecorresponding ends of a pair of adjacent cylindrical cans to arelatively rigid strip of material having 13 opposite marginal portionsadapted to extend over the axially outwardly facing surfaces of saidchimes at their adjacent sides and which strip has oppositely outwardlyfacing can engaging seats between said marginal portions adapted toengage the adjacent cylindrical sides of the cans of such pair at saidchimes and spring tongues inclined relative to and carried by saidmarginal portions having free outer end edges adjacent to said seatsadapted to spring past said chimes into engagement with the radiallyinwardly facing surfaces of said chimes at their said adjacent sideswhen said cylindrical sides are seated against said seats and saidmarginal portions are against said axially outwardly facing surfaces ofsaid chimes; said machine comprising: strip supporting means forsupporting such strip for movement in one direction along apredetermined path of travel; actuating means connected with said stripsupporting means for so moving the latter along said predetermined pathof travel; can moving means adjacent to said path engageable with a pairof cans for moving said pair of cans onto said strip against said seatson the latter and onto said marginal portions during movement of saidstrip along said path; tongue engaging means adjacent to said pathmovable into engagement with the spring tongues on said strip forspringing said tongue past the chimes on the said cans that are on saidmarginal portions during such movement of said strip along said path;can supporting means along opposite sides of said path for supportingsaid pair of cans for movement of said cans to said can moving means;and

guide means engageable with the lateral sides of said cans for holdingsaid cans tilted on said supporting means for rolling said cans alongsaid supporting means to said can 'moving means; and means for movingeach of said cans on said supporting means and along said guide means toadapted to engage the adjacent cylindrical sides of the cans of suchpair at said chimes and spring tongues inclined relative to and carriedby said marginal portions having free outer end edges adjacent to saidseats adapted to spring past said chimes into engagement with theradially inwardly facing surfaces of said chimes at their said adjacentsides when said cylindrical sides are seated against said seats and saidmarginal portions are against said axially outwardly facing surfaces ofsaid chimes; said machine comprising: strip supporting means forsupporting such strip for movement in one direction along apredetermined path of travel; can moving means adjacent to said pathengageable with a pair of cans for moving said pair of cans onto saidstrip against said seats on the latter and onto said marginal portionsduring movement of said strip along said path; tongue engaging meansadjacent to said path movable into engagement with the spring tongues onsaid strip for springing said tongue past the chimes on the said cansthat are on said marginal portions during such movement of said stripalong said path, said tongue engaging means comprising a Wheel havingradially outwardly extending arms thereon; means supporting said wheelin a position for rotation of the outer ends of said arms intoengagement With both of the tongues on said pair of cans at a pointalong said path where said cans are against said seats and on saidmarginal portions.

5. A machine for connecting the annular chimes on one of thecorresponding ends of a pair of adjacent cylindrical cans to arelatively rigid strip of material having opposite marginal portionsadapted to extend over the axially outwardly facing surfaces of saidchimes at their adjacent sides and which strip has oppositely outwardlyfacing can engaging seats between said marginal portions adapted toengage the adjacent cylindrical sides of the cans of such pair at saidchimes and spring tongues inclined relative to and carried by saidmarginal portions having free outer end edges adjacent to said seatsadapted to spring past said chimes into engagement with the radiallyinwardly facing surfaces of said chimes at their said adjacent sideswhen said cylindrical sides are seated against said seats and saidmarginal portions are against said axially outwardly facing surfaces ofsaid chimes; said machine comprising: strip supporting means forsupporting said strip for movement in one direction along apredetermined path of travel; actuating means connected with said stripsupporting means for so moving the latter along said predetermined pathof travel; can moving means adjacent to said path engageable with a pairof cans for moving said pair of cans onto said strip against said seatson the latter and onto said marginal portions during movement of saidstrip along said path; tongue engaging means adjacent to said pathmovable into engagement with the spring tongues on said strip forspringing said tongue past the chimes on the said cans that are on saidmarginal portions during such movement of said strip along said path,said can moving means including a pair of turrets supported in spacedside by side relation at opposite sides of said path for rotation aboutparallel axes for movement of the adjacent sides of said turrets in saidone direction; means supporting said pair of cans for movement tocorresponding sides of said turrets spaced from said path, and magnetson the sides of said turrets for magnetically holding said cans forcarrying said cans therewith in said one direction toward said path; canreleasing means on said turret actuatable for releasing said cans fromsaid magnets upon movement of said cans to said path and to saidpositions on a strip; endless belts extending around said turrets at oneof their ends and laterally outwardly opening recesses in said belts inwhich each of said cans is adapted to be received, pulleys at theopposite ends of said belts from said turrets around which the oppositebelts extend, and means positioning said pulleys for supporting one ofthe flights on each belt in opposed relation to one of the flights ofthe other belt whereby the said recesses in said flights will be inopposedly opening relation for holding one of the cans of said pair ineach recess; and means adjacent to each turret holding the end portionsof said opposed flights in positions extending convergently relative toeach other in direction away from said turrets.

6. A machine for connecting the annular chimes on one of thecorresponding ends of a pair of adjacent cylindrical cans to arelatively rigid strip of material having opposite marginal portionsadapted to extend over the axially outwardly facing surfaces of saidchimes at their adjacent sides and which strip has oppositely outwardlyfacing can engaging seats between said marginal portions adapted toengage the adjacent cylindrical sides of the cans of such pair at saidchimes and spring tongues inclined relative to and carried by saidmarginal portions having free outer end edges adjacent to said seatsadapted to spring past said chimes into engagement with the radiallyinwardly facing surfaces of said chimes at their said adjacent sideswhen said cylindrical sides are seated against said seats and saidmarginal portions are against said axially outwardly facing surfaces ofsaid chimes; said machine comprising: strip supporting means forsupporting such strip for movement in one direction along apredetermined path of travel; actuating means connected with said stripsupporting means for so moving the latter along said predetermined pathof travel; can moving means adjacent to said path engageable with a pairof cans for moving said pair of cans onto said strip against said seatson the latter and onto said marginal portions during movement of saidstrip along said path; tongue engaging means adjacent to said pathmovable into engagement with the spring tongues on said strip forspringing said tongues past the chimes on the said cans that are on saidmarginal portions during such movement of said strip along said path;said strip supporting means including a pair of spaced parallelconveyors, and means along each of said conveyors for rollinglysupporting said cans on one of their ends for predetermined degrees;each of said cans being of the type having a seam on one of its sides;and means on said conveyors adapted to engage each of such seams at apredetermined point along said conveyors for limiting the degree ofrotation of each can to said predetermined degree.

7. In a packaging machine adapted to connect a pair of parallel rows ofcans together at one of their corresponding ends with a carrier clip: apair of spaced can supporting means for supporting said two rows of canshaving side seams upright on their lower ends for movementlongitudinally of said rows in the same direction along parallel pathsof travel; means for rotating the cans in said rows about their axesduring said movement; clip supporting means between said pair of cansupporting means for supporting such carrier clips for movement in saidsame direction; seam engaging means along each of said can supportingmeans engageable with said seams on the cans of said rows during saidrotation of said cans for holding said cans in each row against rotationthereof by the seam of each can when the seams on the cans in each rowface the same direction; means for moving said cans, and said clips insaid one direction; clip applying means at a point beyond the positionof said seam engaging means in the direction of travel of said cans forsecuring said carrier clip to the cans of said rows at one of thecorresponding ends of said cans.

8. In a packaging machine adapted to connect a pair of parallel rows ofcans together at one of their corresponding ends with a carrier clip: apair of spaced can supporting means for supporting said two rows of canshaving side seams upright on their lower ends for movementlongitudinally of said rows in the same direction along parallel pathsof travel; means for rotating the cans in said rows about their axesduring said movement; clip supporting means between said pair of cansupporting means for supporting such carrier clips for movement in saidsame direction; searn engaging means along each of said can supportingmeans engageable with said seams on the cans of said rows during saidrotation of said cans for holding said cans in each row against rotationthereof by the seam of each can when the seams on the cans in each rowface the same direction during said movement of said cans in said onedirection; clip applying means at a point beyond the position of saidseam engaging means in the direction of travel of said cans for securingsaid carrier clip to the cans of said rows at one of the correspondingends of said cans; means along said path between said seam engagingmeans and clip applying means releasing said seam engaging means fromengagement with said seams; said seam engaging means including teethrespectively slidably engaging a lateral side of each can; and meansincluding said teeth for moving the cans in each row in said samedirection during said rotation of said cans to positions in which saidseams thereon are in engagement with said teeth.

9. In a packaging machine adapted to connect a pair of parallel rows ofcans together at one of their corresponding ends with a carrier clip: apair of spaced can supporting means for supporting said two rows of canshaving side seams upright on their lower ends for movementlongitudinally of said rows in the same direction along parallel pathsof travel; clip supporting means between said pair of can supportingmeans for supporting such carrier clips for movement in said samedirection; seam engaging means along each of said can supporting meansengageable with said seams on the cans of said rows for holding saidcans in each row with the seams on the cans in each row facing the samedirection during said movement of said cans in said one direction; clipapplying means at a point beyond the position of said seam engagingmeans in the direction of travel of said cans for securing said carrierclip to the cans of said rows at one of the corresponding ends of saidcans; said clip applying means including an endless chain adapted tosupport one of said carrier clips thereon for movement in the samedirection as said rows of cans, and on which said pair of rows of cansis adapted to be supported at their lower ends, can moving meansengageable with the cans in said pair of rows for moving them onto saidclip in positions for securing said clips to said cans; and means forconnecting said clips to said cans including a hold-down belt spacedabove said chain for firmly holding said cans against a clip on saidchain, and means below said clip for actuating the latter to canconnecting relation.

10. In a packaging machine for packaging a pair of rows of uprightcylindrical cans having radially and axially outwardly projecting chimesat their lower ends and a seam on one side of each can; can supportingmeans for moving said cans longitudinally of said rows in one directionin separate paths of travel; can engaging means for rolling said cans onsaid can supporting means along said paths of travel about thesubstantially vertical extending axes of the respective cans of saidrows; seam engaging means adapted to engage the lateral sides of saidcans during such rolling thereof and into holding relation with theseams of such cans for stopping the rolling of each can upon suchengagement of said seam engaging means with said seams; said seamengaging means being at the same side of said rows of cans whereby theseams of the cans of said rows will be oriented to face in the samedirection during said movement of said rows of cans in said onedirection.

11. In a packaging machine for packaging a pair of rows of uprightcylindrical cans having radially and axially outwardly projecting chimesat their lower ends and a seam on one side of each can; can supportingmeans for moving said cans longitudinally of said rows in one directionin separate paths of travel; can engaging means for rolling said cans onsaid can supporting means along said paths of travel about thesubstantially vertical extending axes of the respective cans of saidrows; seam engaging means adapted to engage the lateral sides of saidcans during such rolling thereof and into holding relation with theseams of such cans for stopping the rolling of each can upon suchengagement of said seam engaging means with said seams, said seamengaging means being at the same side of said rows of cans whereby theseams of the cans of said rows will be oriented to face in the samedirection during said movement of said rows of cans in said onedirection; can moving means along said paths enageable with said cansafter the engagement between said seam engaging means and the seams onsaid cans for moving the end cans of said rows topositions generallyfacing the cans between said end cans whereby the seams on said end canswill be substantially concealed by the cans therebetween, and means forconnecting a can holding clip on one of the corresponding ends of thecans of said rows for securing the cans of said rows together.

12. In a packaging machine for packaging a pair of rows of uprightcylindrical cans having radially and axially outwardly projecting chimesat their lower ends and a seam on one side of each can; can supportingmeans for moving said cans longitudinally of said rows in one directionin separate paths of travel; can engaging means for rolling said cans onsaid can supporting means along said paths of travel about thesubstantially vertical extending axes of the respective cans of saidrows; seam engaging means adapted to engage the lateral sides of saidcans during such rolling thereof for connecting with the seams of suchcans and for stopping the rolling of each can upon such engagement ofsaid seam engaging means with said seams, said seam engaging means beingat the same side of said rows of cans whereby the seams of the cans ofsaid rows will be oriented to face in the same direction during saidmovement of said rows of cans in said one direction; can moving meansalong said paths engageable with said cans after the engagement betweensaid seam engaging means and the seams on said cans for moving the endcans of said rows to positions generally facing the cans between saidend cans whereby the seams on said end cans will be substantiallyconcealed by the cans therebetween, and means for connecting a canholding clip on one of the corresponding ends of the cans of said rowsfor securing the cans of said rows together; said can moving meansincluding a pair of annular rows of magnets positioned to intercept thecans of said rows thereof; means supporting the magnets of said rowsthereof for movement about vertical axes at the ends of said paths inthe same direction at the adjacent sides of said rows whereby said canswill be carried by said magnets toward each other from the ends of saidpaths; means for carrying the cans away from the adjacent sides of saidrows of magnets and away from said magnets along parallel rows.

13. In a packaging machine adapted to connect together successive groupsof cans in a pair of parallel rows thereof by elongated can connectingclips extending longitudinally of said pair of rows in a single rowextending longitudinally of said pair of rows comprising: can supportingmeans for supporting a pair of parallel rows of upright cans formovement horizontally in one direction longitudinally of said rows; clipsupporting means for supporting a single row of elongated clips inlongitudinal alignment for movement longitudinally of said single row inthe same direction as the direction of movement of said pair of rows andin positions below said rows of cams with the cans in each group inlapping engaging relation with one of the clips in said single row;means for feeding clips to one end of said single row for movementtherewith in said one direction comprising a vertical magazine adaptedto hold a vertical stack of said clips with the lowermost clip coplanarwith the clips of said single row; means for supplying clips to theupper end of said magazine comprising a horizontally extending row ofclip carriers each adapted to carry a stack of said clips to and overthe upper end of said magazine for discharge into said upper end; andclip supporting means supporting said clip carriers of said row formovement thereof successively to the upper end of said magazine andactuating means 18 connected to said clip carriers for effecting saidmovement thereof.

14. In a packaging machine adapted to connect together successive groupsof cans in a pair of parallel rows thereof by elongated can connectingclips extending longitudinally of said pair of rows in a single rowextending longitudinally of said pair of rows comprising: can supportingmeans for supporting a pair of parallel rows of upright cans formovement horizontally in one direction longitudinally of said rows; clipsupporting means for supporting a single row of elongated clips inlongitudinal alignment for movement longitudinally of said single row inthe same direction as the direction of movement of said pair of rows andin positions below said rows of cans with the cans in each group inlapping engaging relation with one of the clips in said single row;means for feeding clips to one end of said single row for movementtherewith in said one direction comprising a vertical magazine adaptedto hold a vertical stack of said clips with the lowermost clip coplanarwith the clips of said single row; means for supplying clips to theupper end of said magazine comprising a horizontally extending row ofclip carriers each adapted to carry a stack of said clips to and overthe upper end of said magazine for discharge into said upper end, andclip supporting means supporting said clip carriers of said row formovement thereof successively to the upper end of said magazine andactuating means connected to said clip carriers for effecting saidmovement thereof; said clip carriers including a horizontally extendingendless conveyor for directly supporting the clips of each stack thereonfor movement with said conveyor and supports for holding each stack ofclips vertical and together during said movement of said stacks withsaid conveyor, said conveyor extending to the upper end of said magazinealong parallel rows,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,990,498 2/ 1935Nordquist.

2,577,341 12/1951 Magnusson 19833.2 2,843,253 7/1958 Peterson et a1.198-334 2,892,296 6/1959 Fisher 53-48 X 2,919,525 1/1960 Rothenberger53-48 X 3,096,575 7/1963 Cook 19833.2 X

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. BROMLEY SEELEY, Examiner,

7. IN A PACKAGING MACHINE ADAPTED TO CONNECT A PAIR OF PARALLEL ROWS OFCANS TOGETHER AT ONE OF THEIR CORRESPONDING ENDS WITH A CARRIER CLIP: APAIR OF SPACED CAN SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID TWO ROWS OF CANSHAVING SIDE SEAMS UPRIGHT ON THEIR LOWER ENDS FOR MOVEMENTLONGITUDINALLY OF SAID ROWS IN THE SAME DIRECTION ALONG PARALLEL PATHSOF TRAVEL; MEANS FOR ROTATING THE CANS IN SAID ROWS ABOUT THEIR AXESDURING SAID MOVEMENT; CLIP SUPPORTING MEANS BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF CANSUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SUCH CARRIER CLIPS FOR MOVEMENT IN SAIDSAME DIRECTION; SEAM ENGAGING MEANS ALONG EACH OF SAID CAN SUPPORTINGMEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SEAMS ON THE CANS OF SAID ROWS DURING SIADROTATION OF SAID CANS FOR HOLDING SAID CANS IN EACH ROW AGAINST ROTATIONTHEREOF BY THE SEAM OF EACH CAN WHEN THE SEAMS ON THE CANS IN ECH ROWFACE THE SAME DIRECTION; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CANS, AND SAID CLIPS INSAID ONE DIRECTION; CLIP APPLYING MEANS AT A POINT BEYOND THE POSITIONOF SAID SEAM ENGAGING MEANS IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF SAID CANS FORSECURING SAID CARRIER CLIP TO THE CANS OF SAID ROWS OF ONE OF THECORRESPONDING ENDS OF SAID CANS.